Roof and claim terms for Triad homeowners

These definitions are written for Piedmont homes, where hail, downburst winds, ice storms and big trees drive most roof claims. Your policy and North Carolina law determine how each term applies to you.

Actual cash value (ACV)

Replacement cost less depreciation. On an older Triad roof, ACV can be well below the cost of a new roof.

Additional living expense (ALE)

Pays reasonable extra living costs, such as a rental and meals above normal, when a covered loss makes the home unlivable.

Adjuster

The person who investigates and prices a claim for the insurer. After a big hailstorm, many are independent adjusters on temporary assignment.

Appraisal clause

A policy process for amount disputes: each side names an appraiser, they choose an umpire, and two of the three set the amount.

Assignment of benefits (AOB)

A signed transfer of some policy rights, such as payment, to a contractor.

Bruise (hail bruise)

A hit that cracks the shingle's mat without always removing the granules. It feels soft and may leak later.

Class 4 shingle

A shingle that passed the highest level of the UL 2218 impact test, a 2-inch steel ball. More resistant to hail, not hail-proof.

Cosmetic damage exclusion

An endorsement excluding damage to appearance only, such as hail dents in metal roofing that do not let water in.

Coverage A

The policy limit for the house itself, including the roof. Percentage deductibles are based on it.

Coverage B

Covers detached structures, such as a garage, workshop, shed or fence.

Coverage C

Covers your belongings, such as furniture ruined by a roof leak.

Creased shingle

A shingle that wind lifted and bent, leaving a crease and often a broken seal. Common after downburst winds.

Debris removal limit

A cap in many policies on paying to remove fallen trees that didn't damage a covered structure, often $1,000 per loss and $500 per tree.

Declarations page

The summary at the front of your policy: address, coverages, limits, deductibles and endorsements.

Deductible

Your share of a covered loss: a flat dollar amount or a percentage of Coverage A.

Depreciation

The value an adjuster subtracts for a roof's age and condition.

Downburst

A strong column of sinking air from a thunderstorm that spreads out at the ground and can cause straight-line wind damage as bad as a weak tornado. The main wind threat in the Triad.

Drip edge

Metal flashing at the eaves and rakes that steers water into gutters. Some older roofs were built without it.

Duties after loss

Your obligations after damage: prompt notice, protecting the home, records, showing the damage and a proof of loss if required.

Endorsement

A form that changes your policy, such as a roof schedule or cosmetic exclusion.

Examination under oath (EUO)

Sworn, recorded questioning the insurer may require under the policy.

Flashing

Metal sealing the joints at chimneys, walls, skylights and valleys.

Functional damage

Damage that reduces the roof's water-shedding ability or its expected life.

Granule loss

Missing surface granules. Round, random spots suggest hail; even thinning suggests age.

Hail size

Measured across the widest point. One inch, about quarter size, is the NWS threshold for severe hail.

Holdback

Depreciation withheld until repairs are done and documented; another name for recoverable depreciation.

Ice and water barrier

Self-sealing membrane laid at eaves, valleys and penetrations to stop water backing up, including from ice dams.

Ice storm

Freezing rain that coats trees, lines and roofs with ice. A quarter to half an inch brought down trees across Guilford County on March 6, 2014.

Loss assessment coverage

Coverage in a condo or townhome (HO-6) policy that can help pay your share of an HOA's deductible or uncovered loss.

Loss draft department

The part of your mortgage company that handles insurance checks for repairs, often releasing money in stages.

Matching

Whether the insurer pays to replace undamaged material so repairs look uniform, which depends on the policy in North Carolina.

Named-storm deductible

A deductible, often a percentage, that applies when a named tropical storm causes the damage under the policy's trigger.

Ordinance or law coverage

Covers the extra cost of meeting current building codes during repairs, up to a limit.

Overhead and profit (O&P)

The general contractor's markup when a job needs several trades.

Percentage deductible

A deductible equal to a percentage of Coverage A, such as 1% or 2%.

Proof of loss

A sworn statement of your claim. North Carolina's standard provisions call for it within 60 days unless extended.

Public adjuster

A state-licensed adjuster you hire, usually for a percentage, to represent you on the claim.

R-value

How well insulation resists heat flow. ENERGY STAR recommends about R-60 for uninsulated attics in climate zone 4A, which includes the Triad.

Recoverable depreciation

Depreciation paid after repairs on a replacement cost policy, if claimed by the deadline.

Reinspection

A second inspection requested when you disagree with the first.

Replacement cost value (RCV)

Today's cost to replace with like kind and quality, without depreciation.

Roof payment schedule

An endorsement paying a percentage of roof replacement cost based on age and material.

Soft metal

Gutters, downspouts, vents, flashing and heat pump fins that dent before shingles break.

Square (SQ)

100 square feet of roof, the unit roofers and adjusters use.

Steep charge

Extra labor added for roofs too steep to walk safely, common on two-story Triad homes.

Storm chaser

A contractor who follows storms and solicits door to door, often from out of state.

Suit limitation clause

The policy term on how long you have to sue. In North Carolina, generally three years from the loss.

Supplement

A documented request to add items or quantities after the first estimate.

Test square

A 10-by-10-foot area where hail hits are counted on a slope.

Underlayment

Felt or synthetic sheeting under the shingles that adds a second layer of water protection.

Wind/hail deductible

A separate deductible for wind and hail claims, sometimes a percentage of Coverage A.

Xactimate

Verisk's estimating software, used by many insurers and roofers to price repairs line by line.